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Cook Simple: Effortless cooking every day

Cook SimpleDiana Henry’s Cook Simple is subtitled Effortless Cooking Every Day, and for some of us, the latter concept may be a little hopeful (if, that is, cooking is not one of our natural abilities). But it has to be said that Diana Henry has the ability to lead us by the hand through basic — and more advanced — cookery to produce results that might even be as satisfying as the recipes displayed here. The secret is transforming everyday ingredients into something more special — with a minimum of effort. Often, when such claims are made, a little stretching of the truth is necessary — but that’s definitely not the case here. Diana Henry begins with just the basic things you’ll find in most cupboards — from tuna steak, to vegetables and sausages — and make of them something surprisingly ambitious. If this weren’t enough, we are even promised free time to do other things during the cooking process — who could ask for more? There are over 150 recipes here (gleaned by the author on her world travels), and if you’re tempted by Hot and Sweet Roast Mediterranean Vegetables with Tahini Dressing — or Baked Lime and Passion Fruit Pudding — the wherewithal to prepare them with a minimum of fuss can be found in these pages. The photography (by Jonathan Lovekin) matches the appeal of the food, and if you can look at the latter’s shot of Penne with Roasted Onions, Gorgonzola and Walnuts without instantly wanting to (a) cook it, and (b) consume it, then you’re made of stern stuff. There are also useful side notes for preparing other items similar to those presented in the main menus. —Barry Forshaw